world peace?

The state of Hawaii has observed United Nations International Peace Day since 2007.

What can we do, in practical terms, for world peace?

We pray for world peace every day. We, as Buddhist priests, preach to people about compassion and respect. We say that if all people are compassionate and respectful to each other, there will be no war and world peace will be realized. Therefore, we try to be compassionate and respectful to everyone no matter what their religious beliefs.

Although the ultimate goal for all religions might be the same, unfortunately many people who never see eye to eye are religious leaders. Ideally religious leaders should shake hands, cooperate and lead each of our congregations to the same ultimate goal. But realistically it is hard or even impossible to do this because each belongs to a separate organization. If I suggested doing something to realize our ideal with other religions, the headquarters of the organization I belong to would understand and sympathize with the basic concept, but on a practical level they would not be able to accept it.

There are surely some religious leaders who have been trying to realize the harmony of all religions, too, which gives me hope. Recently, interreligion dialogue has been active all over the world and even here in Hawaii. In order to lead each of our congregations toward the same ideal, it would be a good idea to share common issues. World peace surely would be the common issue that we can cooperate on to do something on a practical level. It is important for everyone, all countries in this world, to realize that.